Hard on the heels of Where History Lives: A Tour of the White House (VL-1/05) comes another outstanding history of the White House, this one hosted by Martin Sheen (The West Wing), and featuring artists' conceptions, photos, and dramatic readings by actors (including Blythe Danner and Sam Waterston) to illuminate the human tragedies and triumphs at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Rebuilt three times in its 200-year-plus history, the White House's darkest hour came when British troops torched the place in 1814; after being rebuilt by original architect James Hoban, the presidential mansion would withstand--among other challenges--the "rabble mob" who descended on Andrew Jackson's inaugural, garish gilded age "improvements," and (in an eerie precursor of 9/11) WWII fears of a plot revolving around crashing a bomb-laden enemy plane into the iconic building. Simple old age proved to be the greatest adversary, however, leading to a massive reconstruction during the Truman presidency that resulted in the White House we know today. Viewers will learn that true security didn't exist at the White House until the beginning of the 20th century; in fact, lack of privacy was such a common complaint that the constant handshaking of well-wishers and office seekers led Lincoln to observe that meeting and greeting was harder than rail splitting. One of the sadder events in White House history was Woodrow Wilson's paralyzing stroke, which turned the place into a sick room, with Wilson's wife Edith acting as gatekeeper and making many decisions for the President during this time. While Where History Lives offers better views of White House furnishings and more descriptions of various rituals (such as official dinners), this program provides more coverage of presidential events and family matters. In their limited running times, neither title can claim to limn a complete picture, but the pair complement one another well and both are excellent documentaries. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)
Echoes from the White House
(2005) 60 min. VHS: $14.95 ($49.95 w/PPR), DVD: $19.99 ($39.95 w/PPR). PBS Video (<span class=SpellE>tel</span>: 800-344-3337, web: <a href="http://www.pbs.org/"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none; text-underline:none'>www.pbs.org</sp June 27, 2005
Echoes from the White House
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